Niecy Nash receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

By

Daniel Uria

Actress Niecy Nash touches her star during an unveiling ceremony honoring her with the 2,639th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on July 11, 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Niecy Nash holds a replica plaque during an unveiling ceremony honoring her with the 2,639th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Niecy Nash poses with her husband Jay Tucker after receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Niecy Nash listens to comments by Cedric The Entertainer, who spoke on her behalf during an unveiling ceremony honoring her with the 2,639th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Niecy Nash is joined by actor Ed Asner, who she met while visiting the Walk of Fame when she was 9 years old and vowed to earn a star of her own. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

July 11 (UPI) -- Actress Niecy Nash was honored with the 2,639th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Wednesday.

Nash, who grew up California and currently stars in the TNT series Claws, received her star in the television category during a ceremony in front of the Eastown apartment complex on Hollywood Boulevard.

"I am very, very grateful for this moment. I love my fans," Nash said. "I love all of you who have shown up, but I am warning you now, this star right here is just the beginning, not the ending."

Nash has appeared in various projects including Reno 911!, Getting On, The Soul Man, Dancing with the Stars and Scream Queens. She has been nominated for two Primetime Emmys and won a Daytime Emmy as the producer and host of Clean House.

Producer Ryan Murphy, who cast Nash on his 1999 show Popular, called the actress a "national treasure."

"My favorite thing about Niecy is that unique mixture of qualities she brings to every project, every meeting, every moment of her life," Murphy said. "She is hilarious and she is spot on always, but she is always a lady."

Comedian Cedric the Entertainer praised Nash for her personality and work ethic as a black actress in Hollywood.

"Niecy Nash was born to be a light that evolved into a star," he said. "She's so dynamic, she has that drive. She has the drive that is worthy of being here and being recognized today."

Nash said she was first inspired to be an actress at 5 years old when she saw Lola Falana on television in her "long black dress and eyelashes like butterflies" and told her grandmother I want to be black, fabulous and on television."

She recalled visiting the Walk of Fame at the age of 9 when she saw actor Ed Asner -- who attended the ceremony Wednesday -- and told him she'd one day have a star of her own.

"He walked away, and I was yelling, 'Remember my name,'" Nash said.

Near the end of her speech Nash reflected on the journey of her acting career and offered words of inspiration to her fans.

"It's been a long time from my beginnings in Compton to this moment," she said. "I just want to encourage anybody out there who has a dream, wait on it. Because though the vision tarries, you wait on that thing, but while you're waiting you better be working."